The Devils

Bestseller Abercrombie (The Wisdom of Crowds) mixes a large helping of humor into his typical grimdark fare in this screwball epic set in a medieval-esque world where elves occupy the Holy Land and the female pope in Rome looks to settle a schism with her eastern counterpart, the patriarch of Troy. Her chosen tool is a street thief, Alex, who might just be the long-lost heir to the Serpent Throne of Troy. She sends Alex to claim this imperial crown with the help of her “devils,” warriors of the secret 13th Chapel of the Holy Expediency. The road to Troy is perilous, and Alex’s long-lost cousins, each eager to take the throne themselves, repeatedly attempt to halt her progress. Meanwhile, the devils—an immortal knight, a shy elf, a Viking werewolf, a polished vampire, and a disgruntled necromancer—are not terribly fond of either Alex or each other. Abercrombie leavens the violence with light banter (“Whoever would’ve thought, a few months ago, when he was diligently reviewing the monastery’s accounts, that slathered with gore would be a phrase he routinely employed?”) and touches of sweet sapphic romance. Fans will come for the wicked swordplay and stay for the growing bonds between the eclectic cast. Agent: Ginger Clark, Ginger Clark Literary. (May)